How to Improve Your Internet Speed

How to Improve Your Internet Speed

Remember when waiting five minutes for a single photo to load was normal? When “You’ve Got Mail" wasn’t just a movie title, but the sound of victory after a long battle with your dial-up connection? We’ve come a long way since then.

In 2024, slow internet feels like a personal attack. Your wifi’s speed can turn your smart home dumb, your video calls into a glitchy mess, and your peaceful Netflix evening into a test of patience. The average American home now has 17 connected devices fighting for bandwidth – from smartphones and laptops to smart fridges and AI assistants [1]. That’s 17 different ways for your internet to throw a digital temper tantrum.

But before you consider moving to a cabin in the woods with nothing but books and board games, take a deep breath. This guide will help you improve your internet speed.

Router placement

Start with the Basics

Your router’s location is one of the most overlooked yet crucial factors in internet speed [2]. Many people treat their router as an eyesore, hiding it in closets or behind furniture. This is a major mistake. Your router’s placement can distinguish between blazing-fast internet and frustrating lag.

The ideal spot for your router is in a central, elevated location within your home. Think of your router as a light bulb—the more obstacles between it and your devices, the weaker the signal becomes. Walls, especially concrete or metal ones, can significantly diminish your signal. Even seemingly innocent items like mirrors and fish tanks can interfere with your WiFi signal [3].

Keep your router away from metal objects, other electronic devices, and especially microwave ovens, which operate on the same frequency as many WiFi signals. If your router has adjustable antennas, experiment with different positions to find the optimal configuration for your space.

The speed-distance trade-off

Understanding WiFi Bands

Modern routers typically broadcast on two different frequency bands, and understanding the difference can help you optimize your connection. The 2.4 GHz band offers better range but slower speeds, while the 5 GHz band provides faster speeds but doesn’t penetrate walls as effectively.

Many people make the mistake of connecting all their devices to the same band. Instead, strategically use both bands based on your needs. Devices that need maximum speed and are close to the router should use the 5 GHz band. Devices that are farther away or don’t need blazing speeds (like smart home devices) can use the 2.4 GHz band.

For bandwidth-hungry devices

The Power of Hardwired Connections

It’s easy to forget about ethernet cables, but they remain the most reliable way to ensure maximum internet speed [4]. While not practical for every device, connecting your most important or bandwidth-hungry devices directly to your router via ethernet cable can provide significantly faster and more stable connections.

This is particularly important for gaming consoles, desktop computers, and streaming devices that don’t need to be mobile. The difference can be dramatic—while WiFi speeds fluctuate based on various factors, a wired connection provides consistent, maximum speeds with minimal latency [5].

When to Upgrade Your Equipment

If you’re still using the same router from five years ago, it might be time for an upgrade. Router technology has advanced significantly in recent years, and older models simply can’t keep up with modern internet speeds and the demands of multiple connected devices [6].

The latest WiFi 6 (802.11ax) routers offer significant improvements in speed and the ability to handle multiple devices simultaneously. While these routers are more expensive, they’re worth considering if you have many connected devices or need the fastest possible speeds.

Mesh networks eliminate dead zones

Mesh Networks are the Solution for Larger Homes

A mesh network system might answer your speed problems for larger homes or those with challenging layouts [7]. Unlike traditional WiFi extenders, which can reduce your speed, mesh networks create a seamless web of coverage throughout your home.

A mesh system consists of a main router and several satellite units that combine to blanket your home with a strong WiFi signal. While more expensive than traditional setups, mesh networks eliminate dead zones and maintain consistent speeds throughout your coverage area.

Managing Your Connected Devices

Even the fastest internet connection can slow to a crawl if too many devices compete for bandwidth. Modern households often have dozens of connected devices, many of which may consume bandwidth in the background without users realizing it.

Take time to audit your connected devices and their usage patterns. Smart TVs, phones, tablets, and computers often automatically update or backup data without warning. Schedule these activities for off-peak hours when possible. Many routers allow you to set up Quality of Service (QoS) rules to prioritize certain devices or types of traffic, ensuring your most important activities get the bandwidth they need [8].

Security = speed

Security is Often Overlooked

A secure network isn’t just safer—it’s usually faster. An unsecured or poorly secured network can be accessed by unauthorized users who steal your bandwidth and slow your connection. Ensure your network uses the strongest encryption (preferably WPA3) and a strong password [9].

Regularly update your router’s firmware to ensure you have the latest security patches and performance improvements. Many routers now offer automatic updates, which can help ensure you’re always running the latest version.

Working with Your Internet Service Provider

Sometimes, the key to better speed lies with your Internet Service Provider (ISP). If you’ve optimized your home setup but still aren’t getting the needed speeds, it might be time to review your service plan. Internet needs have increased dramatically recently, and the plan that worked fine a few years ago might not be sufficient today.

When contacting your ISP, be prepared with documentation of your speed tests and any issues you’ve experienced. Many providers offer different service tiers, and upgrading to a faster plan might be worth the additional cost if you regularly bump up against your current limits.

Fiber changes everything

Advanced Solutions for Persistent Problems

Power line networking offers an interesting alternative for homes where traditional WiFi solutions aren’t enough [4]. This technology uses your home’s electrical wiring to extend your network, providing a more stable connection than WiFi in some situations. While not as fast as direct ethernet connections, power line adapters can be an effective solution for rooms where ethernet cables aren’t practical.

If available in your area, fiber internet represents the gold standard for home internet connectivity. Fiber offers symmetrical upload and download speeds and superior reliability compared to traditional cable or DSL connections. While typically more expensive, fiber’s superior performance can be worth the investment for those who require the fastest possible speeds.

Future-proof your internet speed

Maintaining Optimal Performance

Once you’ve optimized your setup, regular maintenance can help ensure consistent performance. Rebooting your router periodically can help clear its memory and refresh its connection. Keep an eye on your connected devices and remove any that are no longer in use. Regular speed tests can help you spot problems before they become serious issues.

Clear your browser cache regularly and close unused tabs to optimize your devices’ performance. These small actions can add up to noticeable improvements in your browsing speed.

Ready for Faster Internet? Find the Best Plans in Your Area

While all these optimization techniques can help squeeze the most speed from your current connection, sometimes the real solution is upgrading to a better internet plan or switching providers. The good news? You might be surprised by the new options available in your area. Internet service providers constantly expand their networks and introduce faster speeds, often at competitive prices.

Many areas now have multiple providers competing for your business, which means better deals for you. Want to see all your options for faster internet? Enter your ZIP code here to compare your area’s internet service providers and plans.

You might find that significantly faster speeds are more affordable than you thought.

SOURCES:

[1] Parkerassociates.com. “Parks: Average U.S. Internet Home Had 17 Connected Devices in 2023”

[2] Foxnews.com. “How to Speed Up Your Wifi, Internet Connections”

[3] Abcnews.go.com. “Bad connection working from home? Fish tanks, plants and other Wi-Fi disruptors"

[4] Wired.com. “12 Ways to Upgrade Your Wi-Fi and Make Your Internet Faster"

[5] Allaboutcookies.org. “Wired vs. Wireless: Is Ethernet Faster Than Wi-Fi?"

[6] Pcmag.com. “The Best Wi-Fi 6 Routers for 2024"

[7] Forbes.com. “Use These 5 Simple Tips To Boost Your Home Wi-Fi Performance"

[8] Laptopmag.com. “Change Your Router’s Quality of Service (QoS) Settings: How to"

[9] Portnox.com. “What is WPA3 vs. WPA2?"